Lobster navigate using odours and water flow, and fisherman exploit this by baiting their traps to attract the lobsters. However, little is known about optimal bait types and the important odours found in plumes that attract lobster. Our goal is to build understanding of lobster responses to bait by:

• using laboratory experiments and underwater field video surveys to better understand lobster responses to natural food sources and bait
• analysis of larger scale lobster movement patterns relative to bait odour plumes generated by lobster traps
• analyzing chemical constituents of bait for their attractiveness to lobster

A primary driver behind this research to is help lobster fisherman attempting to improve the cost-effectiveness of their bait use.

Collaboration with Jim Williams and local lobster fishermen.